Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:47 pm

I figured this would be the best place to post this question. I have planted oats in a couple deer food plots. The instructions call for ammonium nitrate to be applied to supply nitrogen. The only fertilizers I find at Rural King and Wally World with a high nitrogen count are all based on urea. Is there a difference and do I need to pursue ammonium nitrate or will the urea be OK?

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

I don't think the type of fertilizer makes a difference, just the nitrogen content. With oats already in the ground you will probably have to go with broadcast application.

If you are looking for fertilizer with a high nitorgen content - look for a source of fresh turkey or chicken manure.

Kind of wondering. We used to fertilize before broadcasting small grain seed.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:44 pm

Trent,

In your situation you will not notice a significant difference between to two products. Ideally, you would want to apply fertilizer and seed at the same time but once again you will not notice a difference. Urea will volatilize a certain amount if it is applied to the soil surface. If it is incorporated into the soil, nitrogen loss is minimal. Your best bet is to broadcast the urea just prior to a rain storm. The moisture will take the nitrogen into the soil. It would be great if it started raining just as you are applying the last bag.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:20 pm

I did fertilize with the recommended amount of 13-13-13 at planting. A week later the oats are 3" tall. On the bag of seeds it recommended application of ammonium nitrate when the plants are 6" tall. I always heard urea should be disked in, so that's why I asked. I obviously can't incorporate it into the soil now. I'm sure I can find ammonium nitrate at the ag services locally.

It is my understanding that this second round of fertilizer is to give the plot a kick when its most vulnerable to overgrazing. There are already several sets of deer tracks in both plots and they have barely sprouted. There are simply lots of deer around here. I'm afraid, if the deer like the oats, they won't last long.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:50 pm

If you had an end gate seeder you could broadcast the fertilizer. This would leave only a couple of tractor tracks in the oats stand.

Thinking. I haven't seen an end gate seeder in years. I could use one. Will have to start looking.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:55 pm

My fertilizer is broadcast with one of the over-the-shoulder-stick-in-your-belt hand crank types. I'll be walking through the plot.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

I'll just spread the urea-based fertilizer and try to do it just before a rain.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:09 am

Tuesday afternoon it looked like rain. It even sprinkled on me on my way out to the farm, so I decided to broadcast the fertilizer (urea-based). But it cleared up and no rain. It did start raining last night and we are getting a good soaker. Hopefully the urea hasn't set too long on the surface and this rain will wash it down into the soil. It sat for about 1.5 days before the rain.

Re: Fertilizer question (urea vs amon. nitrate)

Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:18 am

Trent M wrote:Tuesday afternoon it looked like rain. It even sprinkled on me on my way out to the farm, so I decided to broadcast the fertilizer (urea-based). But it cleared up and no rain. It did start raining last night and we are getting a good soaker. Hopefully the urea hasn't set too long on the surface and this rain will wash it down into the soil. It sat for about 1.5 days before the rain.